Taking it Easy

January 8, 2014

COVENTRY â âIâm not sure what to do with myself yet,â said retired Coventry Building Officer Bruce Zaloudek,
After 21 years of serving the town, he can finally put his feet up but itâs only been a week and already he admits heâs not sure how to relax.
Zaloudek said in all his years on the job as building officer, he has been through every up and down and has experienced dealing with every type of person and throughout all his years, still values honest and good communication as being the best policy.
When he got the town job, the only requirement was five years in the construction business and to appear before the state board to answer questions to get certification but now, a state test is required.
âA building inspector can do inspections like an electrical, plumbing or mechanical inspector can but a building officer has the authority to issue permits,â he said.
He also had to obtain certification through the International Code Council, which Rhode Island and the United States are both a part of. The council works with the state building commissioner to run workshops and classes that take place every month.
Zaloudekâs responsibilities included going through blueprints, meeting codes, finding damage after fire, flood or other circumstances, working with contractors and builders, troubleshooting any other issues that arose and making sure his inspectors were doing their jobs.
âIt was a 24/7 job,â said Zaloudek, who retired January 1. âI was in the office at 7 a.m. even though I didnât have to be until 8 a.m. then I was on the road then back in the office. Every day had its challenges, like making deadlines, making sure the proper people were in communications, keeping organized and keeping work flowing.â